1 c. butter
1 c. sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
4 tsp. baking powder
5 1/2 c. flour

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar with mixer. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add baking powder; add flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition. The dough will be very stiff. It may be necessary to blend the last flour by hand. DO NOT CHILL DOUGH. Divide dough into 2 balls.

On a floured surface, roll each ball into circle. Dough should be about 1/8 inch thick. Dip cookie cutters in flour before each use. Pick up cookie dough around cut cookies. Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheet with a spatula dipped in flour. Bake on top rack for 6 to 7 minutes until cookies are light brown. Remove cookies from sheet immediately.